S2 Battles Top Team in West Before Falling in Second-Half Stoppage Time

IRVINE, CALIF. – Sounders FC 2 (5-21-6, 21 points) on Saturday stayed even with the top team in the Western Conference on the road for 90-plus minutes, but a second-half stoppage time penalty kick gave Orange County SC (20-7-6, 66 points) a 2-1 victory at Championship Stadium. Aodhan Quinn scored the game-winner from the penalty spot four minutes into extra time. Azriel Gonzalez scored a highlight-reel goal for S2 in the 60th minute to give them a 1-0 advantage in the second half.

After a scoreless first half, Gonzalez’s strike got S2 on the board first. He received a pass from Antonee Burke-Gilroy and dribbled before firing a shot from far outside the area that found the back of the net. The marker was his third of the season and second in his last two games. Gonzalez ranks tied for third on the club in goals scored in 2018 and also has recorded two assists in 16 games.

Two minutes after Gonzalez’s blast, Richard Chaplow equalized off a corner kick from Alex Crognale. The match remained tied at 1-1 heading into second-half stoppage time before Quinn’s penalty conversion in the 94th minute. The victory was the fifth straight for Orange County, who now leads the Western Conference by three points over Phoenix Rising FC.

Two Academy players saw action for S2 in Alec Diaz and Blake Malone, while just one First Team player suited up in goalkeeper Calle Brown.

Sounders FC 2 returns to action on Wednesday, October 10 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the home finale at Cheney Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and the match will be live-streamed on ESPN+.